PIE WARS

It all started with a pie. A humble pumpkin pie. I was planning Thanksgiving dinner and my son’s girlfriend (this was before she was his fiancée and long before she was his roommate) offered to bring a pie for dessert.

My mom and I make homemade pumpkin pies, from real pumpkins. None of that canned stuff, she told me.

Of course, I agreed she should bring a pie. I’d never turn down a pie and I hope I never live long enough that I’d even be tempted to turn down a pie. Or any other kind of dessert. So, my son’s girlfriend (hereafter called Pie Girl) brought the pie. And it was delicious. And she declared that from that Thanksgiving on, pumpkin pies were her territory and she would be the sole supplier of our pumpkin pies.

Sounded great to me. And the next year went off without a hitch. Of course, Pie Girl being who she is, she had to super-ize the pie so she changed the recipe from a regular pie dough crust to a graham cracker pie crust. Still, the pie was delicious and we all told her so.

The next year, Pie Girl and my son argued the night before Thanksgiving (don’t ask me whose fault it was; I am Switzerland) and she called to say she was not coming to dinner. And neither was her pumpkin pie. Thankfully a friend rescued me. It was a close call, though. We almost didn’t have a pie. His first effort fell to its death from the kitchen counter onto the kitchen floor. We don’t know if it was suicide, or an accidental fall, or even suspicious intent. We do know that my friend scooped up the remains and started a fresh pie. And it was delicious.

The day after Thanksgiving, after Pie Girl and my son reconciled, she asked if we had missed having a pumpkin pie at dinner. When I explained my friend had brought a pie, she frowned and declared pumpkin pies were her exclusive domain.

What was I supposed to do, I asked, not serve pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving?

She smiled and nodded.

The next year, Pie Girl volunteered to bring the pumpkin pie. So did my friend. Trying to play it safe, I said “Bring it on” to both of them. Pumpkin Pie girl brought a pumpkin pie made with a graham cracker crust, my friend brought one made with pie dough crust. Pie Girl whispered to me that my friend’s pie wasn’t authentic – the pie filling came from a can.

When dessert time arrived, Pie Girl ran into the dining room and sliced her pie, serving it with whipped cream, giving a piece to everyone. My friend’s pumpkin pie sat and watched. So did my friend.

This year, my friend was not coming for Thanksgiving. I had too many family members to fit at the table. Concerned that one pumpkin pie would not satisfy our pie needs, I asked Pie Girl if she could make two pies.

Your mom is getting pretty pushy about the pies, don’t you think, Pie Girl asked my son, who loves to tattle.

Yet, on Thanksgiving Day 2008, Pie Girl showed up with dessert.

One vegan pumpkin pie.

One pumpkin cheesecake.

Banana Bread.

And a smile.

Thank you, Pie Girl!

Here are photos of the pumpkin desserts!!


c2008 Linda S Amstutz